“You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). This is itself a widely recognized truth, with application to freedom in many areas of life.

It is true politically. It is almost impossible to enslave a well-informed people. That is why a government controlled press and strict censorship of all other informational media is one of the earliest objectives of any dictatorial power.

It is true economically. Societies with a vested interest in an existing pool of cheap labor often discourage and sometimes forbid the education of that work force. Knowledge brings liberation from bondage to low-paying jobs in unskilled occupations.

It is true spiritually. This, of course, is the application with which Jesus was concerned when he spoke these words. His hearers objected that they were no man’s slave. Jesus reminded them that whoever commits sin, whoever has sinned and is not forgiven or whoever makes a practice of sin, is the slave of sin. It is from this enslavement that the Son came to make us free indeed (John 8:34-36).

All of the above applications are true and relevant to man’s condition, but none has caught the real point of this memorable saying of Jesus. All of the above discussions of the passage ignore a vital part of the context. They start in the middle of the sentence.

As usually read, the passage is a conditional promise with one condition and one result: Condition: Know the truth; Result: Be made free. The fact that the promise perceived that way is so true and so universally applicable obscures an important fact: that is not what the passage says.

Rather, the passage is a conditional promise with one condition, and three results. What Jesus said was, “If you abide in my word, then you are my disciples indeed, and you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free” (John 8:31-32). Condition: Abide in Jesus’ word; Results: 1) Be his disciples, 2) Know the truth, 3) Be made free.

He is not first and foremost reminding us of an advantage of knowing the truth. He is telling us how to know the truth, where the truth is to be found.

In a prayer to the Father for his disciples Jesus said, “Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth” (John 17:17). The gospel is “the word of truth” (Eph. 1:13). We purify our souls by “obeying the truth” (1 Peter 1:22).

Abide in his word, and you will be his disciple, you will know the truth, and you will be made free. — Copied from Preacher Talk

Christians are to “stir up one another.” Or, in the language of the King James Version, “provoke” (an unfortunate word choice for our day and time). Sadly, some have apparently failed to read the entire sentence because they have majored in bickering, quarreling, and stirring up strife — the very opposite of what is required. In case you have forgotten, The Bible actually says, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24 ESV). Any stirring we do should be toward the goal of “love and good works.”

Recently I asked my Bible class how we could accomplish this task, and they replied with the following suggestion:

Give yourself to encouraging others rather than discouraging them.
Commend rather than condemn.

Be patient toward all.

Set the right example (in worship attendance, acts of service, disposition, friendliness, caring, etc.).

Lead others by seeing something that needs to be done, and doing it.

Pray for all, and especially for those who are spiritually weak.

Brainstorming with other Christians about implementing Hebrews 10:24.

More fellowship and interaction with other Christians.

This list is not exhaustive so feel free to add to it as you seek to stir up those around you to love and good works. — Adapted

Editor: As I thought about the passage where this truth is found, I believe the context should be considered in that stirring up of our brethren.

The Hebrew writer said, “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation” (Hebrews 10:24-27).

No stirring up of the brethren is complete without stressing the important of the assembling of the saints! The one who does not attend is one who fails to stir up or exhort other Christians. It is willful sin. It reveals a deliberate and selfish attitude toward others. — Chris

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